The permit required depends on the specific processes involved and resulting emissions.

Activities are divided into three categories: Part A(1), Part A(2) and Part B.

Part A permits control activities with a range of environmental impacts, including:

Emissions to air, land and water

Energy efficiency

Waste reduction

Raw materials consumption

Noise, vibration and heat

Accident prevention

Part B permits control activities which only cause emissions to air.

Applications should be made to the Environment Agency or the local authority (the regulator) depending upon the category the activity falls within:

Part A(1) installations or mobile plants are regulated by the Environment Agency.

Waste operations or waste mobile plant carried on other than at an installation, or Part B mobile plants, are regulated by the Environment Agency.

Mining waste operations are regulated by the Environment Agency.

Part A(2) and Part B installations and mobile plants are regulated by the local authority.

Eligibility criteria

Applications must be made on the form provided by the regulator or Defra whether on online or not, and must include all relevant and specified information for the activity.

A fee is payable.

An application will also be required vary or surrender a Permit.

If further information is required the applicant will be notified that the application is not 'duly made' under the regulations and it must be resubmitted with the appropriate information.

The application must be from the operator i.e. the person in control of the regulated facility.

For waste operations no licence will be granted unless any required planning permission had first been granted.

Application process evaluation

The regulator will pay regard to:

The protection of the environment taken as a whole by, in particular, preventing or, where that is not practicable, reducing emissions into the air, water and land and

The Secretary of States guidance for that activity

The application will be a public document ( except items that are accepted as confidential under the Regulations ) and the Regulator must consider any representations.

The regulator must be satisfied that that the applicant operator is capable of operating the facility in accordance with the environmental permit.

Apply for a permit

To apply for a permit contact Public Protection.

Failed application redress

Please contact Public Protection in the first instance.

An applicant who is refused an environmental permit may appeal to the appropriate authority. In England the appropriate authority is the Secretary of State and in Wales are the Welsh Ministers. Appeals must be lodged no later than 6 months from the date of the decision.

Permit holder redress

Please contact us Public protection in the first instance.

If an application to vary, transfer or surrender an environmental permit has been refused or if the applicant objects to conditions imposed on the environmental permit they may appeal to the appropriate authority.

Appeals must be lodged in relation to a regulator initiated variation, a suspension notice or an enforcement notice, not later than two months from the date of the variation or notice and in any other case not later than 6 months from the date of the decision.